GumtreeAdvert – February 2018

Live-in Carer–Reading, near London and Oxford

Late February start. Lots of free time.No previous care experience needed.

I am looking for a personal assistant to help me in my daily life, working 15 days a month, job sharing with another carer who also lives in, and covers the rest of the month. The schedule is flexible, ranging from 2 days on/off to 12 days on/off, agreed by you and the other carer. No night cover is required.

The salary is £12,000 per year after tax, pension and National Insurance Contributions. Free accommodation and food are provided, whether you are on or off duty, which is worth approximately an additional £10,000 per year. As all your living expenses are covered, the salary is for you to spend as you wish. There is often lots of free time when you are on duty, which gives you extra time to pursue your own interests or study. When you are off duty you are free to stay here or go away.

You need to be over 25, with an EU/UK driving licence. No previous care experience is needed as the job can be learned.

I have been in a wheelchair since I was injured in a car accident many years ago. I am happily married and currently completing a PhD at Reading University. We live in a beautiful old cottage near the river close to Reading city centre.

The job is initially until the end of August 2018, and may be extended by agreement.

Please get in touchif you are interested.

Further information

The Job

The job involves getting me up, putting me to bed, basic medical care, driving, cleaning, cooking,shopping, washing & ironing plus someadministration, DIY and gardening.We have a hoist but some lifting and turning are required. I can eat and drink unaided, and use my computer without help.Basically the job is to be my arms and legs, and help me do what I would do if I were able-bodied.I try not to let my disability get in the way of living my life.

The work schedule is split 50:50 between the two carers, and you arrange it between you. The general work pattern is 2-3 days on, 2-3 days off, with stretches of up to 12 days to allow each other to have longer breaks every other month. When you are on duty, you are working/on call from around 0800-2300 each day, but there are usuallyseveral breaks throughout the day. Actual working time varies from 3 hours to 14 hours; on average it isabout 7-8 hours in a day. My wife covers the night, unless she is away for work, and often helps look after me, as well as taking a share of the cooking and domestic work.

We provide a spacious, light, quiet, furnished room overlooking the garden. We have a separate kitchenette for the helpers,which means you can make your own food when you want. All food and living expenses are covered, and you are free to choose whatever food and drink you want (within reason!). There is good wifi throughout the house, and shared use of a new bike with the other helper. We will reimburse travel to start the job on arrival.

The annual salary of £12,000 includes £1,600 holiday pay. The salary is paid on a weekly basis, whether you are on or off duty, and works out at £230.77 every week. I pay your tax, National Insurance contributions, and statutory pension contributions on top.

The reason for the opportunity is that one of my helpers is taking a study break after working with me for 3 years. It is possible that he may decide to move on to other things, in which case the job would be available longer term.

You

You need to be practical, reliable, flexible, considerate and respectful of others, with a positive outlook, to speak reasonable English, and to be confident to drive a van. No previous experience of care/domestic work is needed, as we can train you in what is required. An interest in cooking/food would be helpful. It is important to be self-sufficient so that you are happy to occupy yourself when you are on call or off duty. Good standards of hygiene are important. No smoking in the house.

How we live

We live in a beautiful large old cottage in Caversham,15 minutes’ walk along the river from Readingmain station and town centre. Reading is a growing, lively town, with lots to do. London is 25 minutes’ by train. An all daytravelcard costs £16.45 with a railcard. We are also a 10 minute cycle from beautiful countryside on the edge of the Chiltern Hills.

I am calm and easy going, interested in lots of things from economics to music, and always curious to learn new things. My wife is kind and energetic and works as a management trainer for various organisations including WaterAid and Save the Children. My other helper previously worked as an art teacher, restorer and tour guide and loves painting and travelling in his time off. He has been with me for many years. We have a good team spirit in the house, and this is very important to all of us.

We enjoy cooking good food, listening to all kinds of music, and having family and friends to stay. My wife and I often go out on our own to the cinema, to London, to eat out, or to see friends. For holidays we tend to drive to the Continent or other parts of the UK, and the helpers usually take it in turns to cover half the holiday each.

The current carers say about the job:

“Jonathan is easy-going, polite, respectful and patient. It is a very nice home environment to live, work and relax, with good conditions and a lot of free time to follow your passions or study.”

“Jonathan and his wife are very considerate and supportive, and treat the helpers very well. You feel included, but are also free to do your own things, and your opinion is valued. I have really improved my English and cooking skills living here. The other carer is easy to work with, and to agree the work schedule with.”